Beatrice Matsui (née Katamoto), age 94, formerly of Timonium, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Bea was the daughter of Usaburo and Iwa Katamoto and grew up surrounded by her five older brothers and sisters. A true pioneer of her time, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Hawaii with a degree in mathematics—an achievement that reflected both her sharp intellect and her determination.

After a brief start to her career at Honolulu Oil and Gas, Bea set out on her own journey to the mainland, settling in Washington, D.C. There, she joined the Brookings Institution as a statistical analyst while pursuing graduate studies at George Washington University. It was at GWU that she met her future husband, Ed, beginning a partnership that would shape a lifetime.  She worked at the Department of Defense Navy Department, Bureau of Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Agency.  Bea began her 24 year career at Social Security Administration in 1970, retiring in 1994.

Bea and Ed raised their family on the East Coast, while always maintaining close ties to Hawaii through frequent visits home. Bea was an avid reader, a lifelong Mah Jongg and card player, a formidable bowler, and a dedicated iPhone gamer. Bright and eminently practical, she was known for her sharp wit and her unwavering sense of right and wrong. She loved a good mystery - television, movie or novel - all peaked her interest!

Bea is survived by her four children: Beth Rice of Reisterstown, Maryland; Elyssa Ferrell (Jack) of Parkville, Missouri; Adrienne Poulos (Nick) of Hunt Valley, Maryland; and Matthew Matsui (Karina) of Dallas, Texas. She leaves behind eight grandchildren—Lindsay Bollinger, Kira Ferrell, Jenna Steinberg, Megan Jamison, Ben Matsui, Quentin Matsui, Nicholas Poulos, and Max Matsui—as well as six great-grandchildren: Jack, Axel, Kenzo, Riley, Sullivan and Emi.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A private service will be held at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Please share online condolences with the family by signing her guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com.